For the next two weeks, most of our blogs will be about Wizard World New Orleans. The Convention is held at the Morial Convention Center on January 6,7, and 8th.  This week we will be previewing the event, and next week reviewing the event. 
 
One of the most underrated aspects of any comic con is its educational value.  Most cons have quite a few panels in which you can learn.  Topics often deal with cosplay, photography, writing, and drawing.
Here is a list of panels that will help spark your creativity:
Friday
6:00-6:45 START YOUR CREATIVITY ENGINES! (ROOM 343)  Storytellers will share their experiences in creating their own worlds as well as how to handle the business side of things.
6:30-7:15 MOLD MAKING AND RESIN CASTING WITH WIZARD WORLD COSPLAY GUEST MOGCHELLE (COSPLAY STAGE) For those who like to work with their hands, this panel is for you. There will be a demonstration of mold creation and resin casting.
6:30-7:15 VIPS OF SELF-PUBLISHING (ROOM 240)  Already have written a novel, play or short story, but have no idea how to get it publish?  Then this panel should be perfect for you.
7:30-8:15 COSPLAY 101 (COSPLAY STAGE)  Cosplay can be intimidating, especially when you see the costumes of the more experienced members of the community. Well, their costumes look great because of a lot of trial and error.  Go to this panel and ask questions, so your cosplay can be as good as theirs!
8:00-8:45 FROM THUMBS TO PRINT: CREATING YOUR OWN COMIC BOOK WITH KOOLasHECK (CREATIVE STAGE) Learn the process of creating a comic book by someone who does every aspect in the medium.  Also at 12-12:45 on Saturday.
8:30-9:15 NAIL THAT COSPLAY PHOTOSHOOT with EMMA TATE (COSPLAY STAGE)  If you put in a lot work into your cosplay, you will want to document it. This panel, hosted by Emma Tate, will go over a lot of do’s and don’ts including how to stay safe.
Saturday
11:30-12:15 WORKING WITH WORBLA: AN INTRO FOR BEGINNER COSPLAYERS with EMMA TATE (COSPLAY STAGE) If you are like me, you have to look up worbla. Now that you know what it is, go to this panel so Ms. Tate can help learn how to craft it into your cosplays.
11:30-12:15 STORYTELLING with MICHAEL GOLDEN (ROOM 240) Interested in storytelling but need that extra push to make it more professional.  This panel will share storytelling rules.
12:30-1:15 DRAFTING AN UNDERBUST CORSET PATTERN WITH WIZARD WORLD COSPLAY GUEST, BRIT BLISS (COSPLAY STAGE) This panel will feature a live demonstration.
2:00-2:45 GET PUBLISHED! PROFESSIONAL WRITERS REVEAL PLOT AND PUBLISHING SECRETS (ROOM 238) Before you publish, learn from the trials and tribulations of those that have!
4:00-4:45 YOU CAN LEARN TO DRAW IN 30 MINUTES! (CREATIVE STAGE) Aimed toward younger convention goers, you can learn to draw with the former PBS artist Mark Kistler.
4:30-5:15 COSPLAY FOR THE NONPROFESSIONAL (COSPLAY STAGE) Aimed for those of use who can’t afford the materials or the time to do a professional cosplay.
Sunday
11:00-11:45 U CRE-8 COMICS PRESENTS: CHARACTER CRAFTERS (ROOM 238) This panel allows you create your own character from scratch!
11:30-12:15 SILICONE MOLD MAKING AND RESIN PROP CASTING Q&A (CREATIVE STAGE) Learn tips and tricks from professionals dealing with silicone and resin. In their panel description, they ask for questions so don’t be shy!
11:30-12:15 VIDEO GAME DEVELOPMENT (ROOM 240)  As a computer science teacher, I’m looking forward to this one so I can let my students know how smart these professionals are and how hard they work.
12:30-1:15 THAT THING CALLED THERMOPLASTICS WITH WIZARD WORLD COSPLAY GUEST MOGCHELLE (COSPLAY STAGE) This panel will feature a live demonstration so you can learn how to use this important element of the cosplay world.
2:00-2:45 FIND YOUR CREATIVE CAREER! (ROOM 343) Have you heard that you can’t be creative and have a career?  Go to this panel to find the truth!
For a full listing of the panels, click here.

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